Facebook: an ‘educational’ time-waster
Students who use social networking sites may be doing themselves an educational favour, a study suggests.
Researchers from the University of Minnesota have found that MySpace, Facebook et al can give students skills that are relevant to today’s workplace.
The study found that 77% of the students surveyed had a profile on a social networking site. When asked what they learnt from the sites, they listed technology skills, followed by creativity, being open to new or diverse views and communication skills.
Christine Greenhow, a learning technologies researcher who led the study, said:
"What we found was that students using social networking sites are actually practicing the kinds of 21st century skills we want them to develop to be successful today.
"Students are developing a positive attitude towards using technology systems, editing and customizing content and thinking about online design and layout. They're also sharing creative original work like poetry and film and practicing safe and responsible use of information and technology. The web sites offer tremendous educational potential."
However, the research also found that very few students in the study were actually aware of the academic and professional networking opportunities that social networking sites provide.
If students had more awareness of these opportunities, Greenhow said, social networking could be even more beneficial.
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Wow, I have never heard such
Wow, I have never heard such a review of FB. But if it is such a great teaching tool, then people shouldn't feel so bad about their addiction to it I guess. Keeping tabs on friends and sharing the way you want to be perceived has never been so fun. I am working for a PR company promoting one of the new apps called the Life Changing Box which is the only one from which you can win prizes by playing. Since we are getting such a great education from FB, why not some cool new stuff too (Like LCD TVS). To play you start touching boxes. The boxes jump to anyone who has touched it and then open at random times-if you are holding the box when it opens you get the whats inside. Something fun to do while getting educated online! Let me know if you have questions.